Suffolk is undoubtedly a county for tourists. But the range of places to visit here is much wider than anything that could be associated with the phrase ‘tourist trap’. When out visiting places in Suffolk you’ll find far more wide open spaces than busy roads. Here are just a small handful of the places in Suffolk that we love to visit. Scroll down the page until you find something that tickles your fancy, then click the title for more information.
A stunning country estate in the heart of Suffolk
Grade 1 listed moated hall with beautiful gardens, open from the beginning of May to the end of September every year. The historic home of the Tollemache family for over 500 years
Regular events throughout the season including walks, music, classic car shows and the home of the Suffolk Dog Day
Adventure playground par excellence set in Thetford Forest, just half an hour from Woodfarm
Winner of Suffolk Tourism Awards – Best Tourism Experience 2011
With centres around the country, Thetford is their original and still the best. It features 30 miles of bike and walking trails from
which to explore 50,000 acres of forest. You can just have a wander or a meander on your bike or go ape on their classic Tree Top
Adventure or Forest Segways
Perfect day out for adventurous kids of all ages!
This charming antiques shop is housed in a beautiful Georgian-fronted EIizabethan building, situated in the medieval Suffolk village of Lavenham. J & J Baker is well worth a visit, you never know what treasures you might find.
Award winning family run vineyard near Bury St Edmunds
If you’re visiting Suffolk and having a day out around the Bury area then why not pop along when they have one of their regular open cellar door days? Full details on their website
Selected products are available to purchase on their website. They have a range of vineyard products including grapeseed oil soaps and bath oil, candles, corkscrews and walking sticks made from antler and vine stems and also offer fruit wines and liqueurs, beeswax products and greetings cards
If you really fancy a day of Suffolk vineyards they’re not too far from Wyken (see separate post) who are open daily
A beautiful RSPB garden in the heart of Constable Country
It’s in a beautiful setting, on a south-facing slope beside the River Stour. It consists of flower borders full of nectar and pollen, a small wildflower meadow buzzing with life, a young apple orchard, woodland gardens, and a kitchen garden, all designed with garden wildlife in mind
There are frequent events and activities at the garden, with more children’s activities during the school holidays, and events and workshops for adults in the time between school holidays. It’s a beautiful place to get closer to nature!
Dogs are welcome, but should be on a lead, please
One of the best known pubs in Suffolk and a firm favourite with Woodfarm guests
Famed for great Adnams beers, fabulous home cooked food and the most stunning location right on the river Orwell
A proper old riverside pub with bare oak floorboards, pints pulled straight from the keg and the smells wafting from the kitchen. This place is popular with locals and visitors alike and in the summer is heaving outside giving it a great atmosphere
A great place to visit when in Suffolk and just a stones throw from the Suffolk Food Hall (see our separate post)
A great collection of independent businesses focussing on arts, crafts, gifts and a lovely little cafe
Having spent a number of years in the past living in Chelsworth, I’ve seen this place develop and it really is a triumph of organic growth or a rural business. It now houses a variety of businesses based around the main ‘Corncraft’ shop and cafe
It’s just on the edge of a pretty little village, Monks Eleigh. It all started in 1970 and is a family concern that has grown from a small Corn Dolly making business to the collection of businesses that you see today
Free parking, and good disabled facilities
The Angel Inn is a beautiful, timbered 16th century building that has been an inn since the 17th century
To this day The Angel Inn remains a traditional oak beamed ‘coaching house’, in the heart of this idyllic Suffolk village, offering all the comfort of modern life, in an historic setting
It has a superb reputation in the area and is well known for fabulous food and drink
A traditional country inn and restaurant nestled in the beautiful Stour Valley
Nayland is a picturesque little village perched on the banks of the River Stour. It enjoys stunning views across the river and the beautiful countryside that is fondly known as ‘Constable Country’ thanks to the work of painter, John Constable
I’ve arrived at the Anchor on more than one occasion in my Kayak as it’s very easy to pull up at the bank and wander in for a pint or lunch
Does what it says on the tin – It’s a guided walk around Needham Market; a pretty little town on the A14 in the heart of Mid Suffolk. Taking in lots of historic buildings, this can easily be combined with a wander round Needham Lake (see our separate post)